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 Looking down on Campbell Creek
from Flattop by onebadcat
The hike starts at Glen Alps parking area and climbs over Blueberry Hill to the ascent on the west side of Flattop. You will reach a saddle area that overlooks the Powerline Valley then the trail starts to climb steadily to the top. Overall this trail is a 1300 ft elevation gain over 3.5 miles round trip. While almost anyone can handle this hike I would caution you to not take it lightly. Wear good footwear and be careful on the top section as it is steep and can be slippery if wet.
Return the way you came up or there is an alternate way down that goes off the backside and drops through the first notch to the east that you come to (do not take the west fork). This trail will drop you down to Powerline Trail and that will return you to the parking area at Glen Alps. Nice round trip and you will lose some of the people going this way. Again good footing is important so wear sturdy shoes.
One word of warning. Do not come here to be alone on the mountain. It is a rare day when you have the place to yourself. But that's not to say that it isn't a great way to spend a half day in Anchorage. It is a beautiful hike on a sunny day when you have some time to kill. Leave a Comment Address: Glen Alps Area, Anchorage, AlaskaDirections: Head south on the Seward Highway. Exit at O'Malley. Go east 3.5 miles and turn right on Hillside Drive. Go left at Upper Huffman Road. Go right at Toilsome Hill Drive then 2 miles to Glen Alps Parking.Website: http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/chugach/
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 Fishing Outgoing Tide at
Ship Creek by onebadcat
For folks who don't fish or are just warming up to fishing in a crowd there are fish viewing platforms at the barrier dam and at the fish hatchery or try the pedestrian bridge next to the fishing shop. If you are in town from June to September you will see schools of king salmon and silver salmon milling in these areas. Great people watching too.
For fisherman there is one steadfast rule. Figure out what part of the tide you want to fish and then get to the creek early. To fish spinners & salmon eggs stake out a spot about 2 hours before high tide and fish until about 2 hours after high tide. If you like to flip yarn fish either side of the low tide (outgoing is best). Use stout gear as you will need to get your fish out of the way of other fisherman in a timely manor.
For flipping you will need hip boots or chest waders. For bank fisherman a rolled down pair of hip boots or old shoes are advisible because it is wet and muddy as the tide recedes.
Kings run last weekend of May through mid-July. An average king here is 15-20 pounds with the largest fish running 40-60 pounds (though I have yet to see a 60). Silver salmon run Mid-July through the first weeks of September and average 8-10 pounds.
A quick note on the mud at Ship Creek: Several rescues occur here every year when people get stuck in the tidal mud. With tidal fluctuations up to 30 plus feet you have to hope you are rescued before the incoming tide goes over your head! Watch where locals go and follow their lead. If no one is fishing an area it probably means you shouldn't try it.
The fishing shack on the creek has rod and reel rentals if you don't have gear and want to give it a shot. They also sell lures & gear if you run out though you will probably find it much spendier than a trip to Walmart ahead of time. The Ship Creek King Derby is held in June and the Silver Derby is held annualy in August (See website for dates). Leave a Comment
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 The Northern Lights have
seen strange sights.... by RickinDutch
If you are staying in Anchorage, a short drive north of town will get you in the middle of nowhere. You just never know when they're going to be out. I've posted a decent website with good links, but it remains an inexact science.
This photo was taken at Elmendorf AFB just north of Anchorage on a cold December night.
The chance to view the northern lights draws visitors from all over, but especially from Japan. Chena Hot Springs outside of Fairbanks used to close down in the winter and now it is their busiest time. Apparently, so they told me, it is auspicious to conceive a child under the northern lights. I'm not making this up - honest! Leave a Comment
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 Autumn on Near Point by onebadcat
Access for this trail is from the parking area at Prospect Heights. From the parking lot follow the wide trail to a T junction and go left. The trail meanders through the woods and down to Campbell Creek. Stay on the main well marked trail until you come to an intersection with Wolverine Trail. Stay left. From here the trail signs end and you start to climb up onto the west side of Near Point. When you reach tundra the trail becomes braided but just keep heading for the ridge and then up to the pronounced peak on your right. This is about a 7 mile round trip hike with 2000 feet of elevation gain. Leave a Comment Address: Prospect Heights, Anchorage, AlaskaDirections: Head south on the Seward Highway. Exit at O'Malley. Go east 3.5 miles and veer left on Hillside Drive. Right on Upper O'Malley Drive. Left at Prospect Drive then 1 mile to Prospect Heights Parking.Website: http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/chugach/
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Alaska is so vast filled with wondrous mountain ranges including Mt. McKinley, or "Denali", our highest at 20,320 feet, huge glaciers, rivers, almost uncounted lakes and forests that can only be appreciated fully by air. The vastness of Alaska can be traversed most efficiently by aircraft hired to show you the beauty of Alaska's nature, its wild animals, its glorious vistas and more. Many great fishing resorts are only accessible by bush planes either on floats, tundra tire wheels or skis, depending on the season and weather.
Rust's Flying Service is a pioneer, flying Alaska since 1963 with vast experience and an excellent fleet of aircraft including their sister company, K2 Aviation, which offers special mountain flightseeing. Rust's is based at Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage, the world's largest seaplane base which is a good place to plan a flying vacation around Alaska personalized to your individual wishes and needs. They operate everything from Piper Super Cubs with one passenger seat to DeHavilland Otter turboprop aircraft seating 12 -14 passengers.
I rented a DeHavilland Beaver floatplane with seasoned and skilled bush pilot having 24 years commercial flight experience. This is an radial engine 450 horsepower aircraft that can seat 7 or 8 but alone I was able to fly in the copilot seat-a great thrill. My flight experience as a pilot goes back 41 years, but this seaplane flight in Alaska was a long-overdue first for me. Rust has regular tourist flights, too, or tailor your own as I did for fly-in fishing, nature scenery or seaplane flight demonstrations. Leave a Comment Address: Lake Hood Sea Plane Base at Anchorage Int'lPhone: 907 243-1595 or 800-544-2299Directions: On Anchorage Int'l Airport Rd. turn right at Lake Hood SPB sign. Right again to Rust Flying Service adjacent to Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum. Rust's has ample parking in front of their office so stop at stop sign & cross aircraft taxiway with caution.Website: www.flyrusts.com Other Contact: info@flyrusts.com
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 Alyeska Resort by onebadcatLeave a Comment
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 On the Ballpark with O'Malley
Peak in Background by onebadcat
To get there park at Glen Alps parking area and follow the trail out to the Powerline Trail. Take a right and head southeast on Powerline. After a very short distance downhill take your first left onto a trail signed Middle Fork Loop trail. Take this trail until you cross a bridge across Campbell Creek. Instead of following the trail left take a right branch and start climbing the steep hill in front and to your right. The small peak you see straight ahead and to your left is little O'malley (the trail is obvious). Once you reach the saddle go left to Little O'malley or go right up into the Ballpark and Deep Lake at the base of O'Malley Peak. The top end of the Ballpark is about 5 miles round trip and about 1800 feet elevation gain.
From the top end of the Ballpark, if you still have the legs left, you have the option of climbing O'Malley Peak (straight behind in photo) or dropping down to Williwaw Lakes Trail. If you intend to climb O'malley know how to scramble and beware of falling rock on the loose slopes.
Look for moose in the valley bottom and be on the look out for ptarmagain on the upper slopes. Leave a Comment Address: Glen Alps Area, Anchorage, AlaskaDirections: Head south on the Seward Highway. Exit at O'Malley. Go east 3.5 miles and turn right on Hillside Drive. Go left at Upper Huffman Road. Go right at Toilsome Hill Drive then 2 miles to Glen Alps Parking.Website: http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/chugach/
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 Three of my favorite Midnight
Sun labels by onebadcat
The brewery itself is a very small scale operation (compared to the big national brands) which provides a great atmosphere to be educated on the fine art of beer brewing. The staff members that provide the tours encourage questions and do a nice job on the 20 minute 'how we brew' tour. Before and after the tour you are treated to samples of their current lineup of brews (many award winners). They usually have about ten on tap for sampling and will preview new beers every third Friday of each month.
The brewery is not licenced to SELL drinks and beer by the glass so they do not have a true bar-style seating area. It is standing room only with a lot of chit chat and beer loving going on. Samples are free and you can buy gallon growlers or 22 oz bombers to take home with you. Cool t-shirts too.
The regular year-round beers for Midnight Sun are: Kodiak Brown Ale, Sockeye Red IPA, Mammoth Extra Stout, Full Curl Scotch Ale, Oosik Amber Ale and Kolsch. Plus, they are always rotating in seasonal beers as well as specialty beers that they produce in smaller batches throughout the year.
CHEERS! Leave a Comment Address: 7329 Arctic Boulevard, AnchoragePhone: (907) 344-1179Directions: 1/2 mile north of Dimond on Arctic Blvd. From downtown take C Street south to International Airport Road. Go right to Arctic Blvd. Go left to 7329 Arctic. Look for small building on your left. About 4.5 miles from downtown.Website: http://www.wildales.com/
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 Racer Approaching Goose
Lake Checkpoint by onebadcat
One of the top events for spectators is the World Championship Sled Dog Race. This event attracts mushers from around the world competing in womens, juniors and open class races. The race route utilizes the trail system in Anchorage allowing for many uncrowded viewing areas. But if you love crowds and excitement go to the downtown finish line and cheer for the leaders.
Most people who visit will be surprised by the number of enthusiasts that follow this sport. Some of the mushers have gained regional star status. It is always strange to me to hear a middle aged mother next to me in a crowd rattling off statistics about an athlete whos name I have never heard.
So if you are in Anchorage at the end of February/beginning of March take the opportunity to see some beautiful dogs in action! Leave a Comment
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 Midnight on the Dome by onebadcat
Start at Stuckagain Heights parking area (basic gravel parking pad) go up the gravel road and take the trail cutting down into the woods on your left. This trail will take you down to the valey bottom and the bridge crossing the North Fork of Campbell Creek. After the creek you will start to climb. When you come to an unmarked intersection stay right. From the intersection it is about 2 miles to the top of The Dome. Watch your footing near the top of the trail as erosion has left a lot of loose rock in the trail.
Once you reach the dome you are on top of a broad ridge and have unlimited options to roam and explore the tundra. Weather permitting you will have views of Anchoarge with the Alaska Range in the background. Mosquitos can be a problem some times of the year so consider some repellant or a long sleeved shirt. Leave a Comment Address: Chugach State Park, Anchorage, AlaskaDirections: Seward Hwy South to Tudor Rd. Left (east) on Tudor 3 miles. Right on Campbell Airstrip Rd. This turns into Basher Drive a gravel road. Take this a few miles to roads end. Park in the wide gravel area. This is Stuckagain Heights Trailhead. Unsigned.Website: http://www.dnr.state.ak.us/parks/units/chugach/
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- Long House Alaskan Hotel
4335 Wisconsin, Anchorage, AK - Hampton Inn Anchorage
4301 Credit Union Dr, Anchorage, AK - Comfort Inn Ship Creek
111 Ship Creek Ave, Anchorage, AK - Westmark Anchorage
720 W 5th Ave, Anchorage, AK - Sheraton Anchorage Hotel
401 East 6th Avenue, Anchorage, AK - Anchorage Grand Hotel
505 W 2nd Ave, Anchorage, AK - Parkwood Inn Extended Stay
4455 Juneau Street, Anchorage, AK - Sourdough Lodge
801 Erickson Street, Anchorage, AK - Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel
239 West 4th Avenue (formerly Holiday Inn Downtown), Anchorage, AK - Microtel Inn And Suites Anchorage Airport
5205 Northwood Drive, Anchorage, AK - Alaska Sunset Inn
340 East Second Court, Anchorage, AK - A Quiet Place Bed & Breakfast
2454 Tulane Street, Anchorage, AK - Springhill Suites By Marriott Achorage
3401 A St, Anchorage, AK - Historic Anchorage Hotel
330 E St., Anchorage, AK - Super 8 Motel - Anchorage
3501 Minnesota Drive, Anchorage, AK
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